Heavy Metals in Liver and Muscle of Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) Caught in the Straits of Messina (Sicily, Italy)

The present investigation was carried out on the bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) collected during the month of April 2003 from the Straits of Messina. The aim of this study is to determine heavy metal levels (Cd, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn) in liver and muscle tissues of 14 Thunnus thynnus of different age and sex and to investigate the relationships between fish sex and size (length and weight and metal concentrations in the tissues. The concentrations of the various metals were determined by a Varian atomic absorption spectroscopy instrument. The results showsignificant variations (p < 0.01) for Hg and Zn concentrations in muscle than in liver samples. Concentrations of Cd and Pb are below the instrumental detection limits in almost all muscle samples. Levels of Hg (3.03 + 0.55 μg/g) are above the MRLs only in muscle (1μg/g) establishing toxicological risks for the consumer. Regression analysis shows a negative correlation between mercury level and weight and length in samples from both female and male. No significant difference between mean heavy metals concentrations and male or female tuna is seen. For greater food safety, it would be advisable to reduce the mercury intake by selecting safer fish, species and size and by the avoidance of tuna fish consumption by pregnant women, young children and old people, who are more sensitive to mercury exposure.     

Habitat Conditions and Correlations of Sediment Quality Triad Indicators in Delaware Bay

This paper summarizes sampling results from NOAA's National Status and Trends (NS&T) Program for marine environmental quality in Delaware Bay. A stratified-random design was used to determine the spatial extent of sediment contamination and toxicity in Delaware Bay from offshore stations in the coastal zone, the lower estuary, the upper estuary, the fresh/salt mixing zone, and tidal fresh areas. Sediment samples were taken for chemical analyses of major classes of environmental contaminants, a suite of toxicity bioassays, and benthic macrofaunal community assessment to identify patterns of resident species. The tidal-fresh areas and portions of the mixing zone of the study area were heavily contaminated. Contaminant concentrations were frequently above the 90th percentile of EMAP Virginian Province levels. PAHs in the sediment were higher than previously documented, with a major component of PAHs being pyrogenic in origin. Bioassay results were highly variable. Toxicity and contaminant levels were correlated when aggregated into indices, but were only marginally correlated with benthic community impacts. High and low abundance stations were found in all zones. Most of the tidal fresh stations were dominated by pollution tolerant species. Species diversity and abundance were generally lowest in the fresh/salt mixing zone.     

土壤中有效态重金属的化学试剂提取法研究进展

土壤重金属污染是国内外关注的热点问题，针对采用全量重金属评价土壤污染存在的问题，本文综述了近年来土壤有效态重金属的化学提取方法研究进展，比较分析了各种单一提取法和影响土壤重金属提取率的因素。在此基础上，评价了各类提取方法的特点及其在应用上的优势和局限，指出了筛选通用提取剂的原则和依据。结合实验初步提出以去离子水作为通用提取剂的可行性及尚需研究解决的问题。     

Fractionation and Sequential Extraction of Heavy Metals in the Soil of Scrapyard of Discarded Vehicles

Chemical and physical size fractionation of heavy metals were carried out on 20 soil samples from the scrap yard area. Tessier method was used in sequential extraction. Cadmium showed the highest levels among the other elements studied in the exchangeable fraction (about 33%), while other elements showed low levels in this fraction (≥1%). Lead and manganese were mostly found in the Fe–Mn oxide fraction, zinc and iron were mostly in residual fraction, while copper was mostly found in the organic fraction of the soil. Soil samples were size-fractionated into four sizes: 1000–500, 500–125, 125–53, and less than 53 μm. The highest levels of Fe, Cu, Pb, Mn, and Cd were found in the medium fraction (500–125 μm), while zinc showed its highest levels in the fine fraction (125–53 μm). The order of heavy metal load in the size fractions was found to be medium > fine > coarse > silt for Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, and Cd, where it was found as fine > medium > coarse > silt for zinc.     

Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Epiphytic Lichens Near a Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator (Central Italy)

The epiphytic lichen Parmelia caperata was usedas biomonitor in the area of a municipal solid wasteincinerator (Poggibonsi, central Italy) to investigatethe levels and the spatial distribution of the heavymetals Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb and Zn. Levels ofAl, Cu and Hg were similar to those in unpollutedareas, whereas high values were found for Cr, Zn andespecially Cd. The distribution pattern of the lastthree metals and the exponential relationship of theirconcentrations with distance from the incinerator,showed that the disposal plant is a local source ofatmospheric pollution due to Cd, Cr and Zn. For thesemetals, long-term hazard should be seriously taken into account.     

鞍山市郊蔬菜基地土壤重金属污染状况调查

通过对鞍山市郊蔬菜基地土壤中重金属含量的分析表明,所采集的菜地土壤中Cd的超标率为44．4％,Cu、Pb、Cr、As、Hg无超标现象。大田菜菜地土壤中As、Hg、Pb含量比大棚菜菜地略高,Hg、Pb、Cu、Cr、Cd含量超背景值。     

Heavy Metals and Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Concentrations in the Red Fox in Relation to Some Biological Paramaters

Heavy metals and organochlorine contamination were analyzed in tissues of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from the Province of Siena (central Italy). Mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) concentrations were assessed in liver tissues and the data were analyzed for differences in relation to sex and age. Overall Hg, Cd and Pb mean values were 0.16, 0.62 and 0.64 g g^_1 d.w., respectively. HCB, DDT and PCB concentrations were assayed in fatty tissues and muscle. The highest levels of those pollutants were found in muscle (0.47, 1.16 and 20.2 g g^_1 lipid basis of HCB, DDTs and PCBs respectively), rather than in fat (0.23, 0.49 and 7.2 g g^_1 l.b. of HCB, DDTs and PCBs respectively). Pollutant accumulation was analyzed in relation to sex, age and sexual maturity of females.     

Environmental Monitoring of Heavy Metals in Bulgarian Black Sea Green Algae

Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb and Cd concentration distribution in six green macroalgae species from the Bulgarian Black Sea coast were determined. The measurement of these metals was carried out during six seasons from 1996 to 2002 using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Samples were collected from eight different sites–Shabla, Kaliakra, Tuzlata, Ravda, Ahtopol and Sinemoretz. The obtained heavy metal (HM) data (mean values g/g) for all algae are: 650 ± 100 for Fe, 184 ± 15 for Mn, 5.6 ± 0.5 for Cu, 3.3 ± 0.3 for Pb and 1.1 ± 0.2 for Cd. The obtained HM contents indicate that different species demonstrate various degree of metal accumulation and the obtained higher values in the northern sector of the studied zone can be attributed to the discharge influence of the big rivers, entering the Black Sea–Danube, Dnyepr, Dnester and local pollutant emissions. All data show that there is no serious contamination in green macroalgae with heavy and toxic metals along the whole Bulgarian Black Sea coast.     

Ecotoxicological Assessment of the Impact of Residual Heavy Metals on Soil Nematodes in the Guadiamar River Basin (Southern Spain)

On 25 April 1998, as a consequence of the breaking of a dam containing the tailings of a pyrite mine, a land strip of approximately 43 km in length was covered with a layer of black sludge, containing high levels of heavy metals, along the Guadiamar River Basin (southern Spain). In this investigation we carried out an ecotoxicological assessment (field and laboratory studies) of the impact of residual heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni) on soil nematodes in the impacted riparian zone, two years after the huge mine spillage. Concentrations of residual heavy metals were significantly (P<0.05) higher at the impacted sampling sectors (S-2, S-3, S-4, S-5) than at the unpolluted (reference) sampling sector (S-1). Nickel however exhibited the lowest increases at the impacted sectors. As a consequence, correlation coefficients between concentrations of heavy metals and values of ecological indices were not significant for Ni. In contrast, copper, lead and zinc exhibited significant (P<0.05) negative correlation coefficients with ecological indices, particularly with diversity indices (including the~number of taxa). In addition, the toxicity of Cu and Pb to nematode test species (Aphelenchus avenae and Cephalobus persegnis) during short-term toxicity bioassays was much higher than the toxicity of Zn and Ni. We conclude that residual heavy metals were still influencing adversely the community of soil nematodes in the impacted riparian zone of the Guadiamar River Basin. Cu, Pb and, to a lesser extent, Zn would be major responsible for the observed impact.     

大冶龙角山地区土壤中重金属污染现状与评价

为了研究大冶龙角山地区尾砂坝内尾砂排放对下游耕地土壤中重金属含量的影响,本文对尾矿坝及河流两岸的耕地进行布点采样,通过等离子体发射光谱仪（ICP—OES）测定土壤中A5、Cd、Cr、Cu、Pb、Zn6种重金属的含量,并用污染指数法进行分析评价。旨在调查研究的基础上,使人们认识当地重金属污染的严重性,加大环境保护力度。     

Trace metal concentrations in suspended particles, sediments and clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) from Jiaozhou Bay of China

Suspended particulate matter (SPM), sediments and clams were collected at three sites in Jiaozhou Bay to assess the magnitude of trace metal pollution in the area. Metal concentrations in SPM (Cu: 40.11–203; Zn: 118–447; Pb: 50.1–132; Cd: 0.55–4.39; Cr: 147.6–288; Mn: 762−1670 μg/g), sediments (Cu: 17.64–34.26; Zn: 80.79–110; Pb: 24.57–49.59; Cd: 0.099–0.324; Cr: 41.6–88.1; Mn: 343−520μg/g) and bivalves (Cu: 6.41–19.76; Zn: 35.5–85.5; Pb: 0.31–1.01; Cd: 0.51–0.67; Mn: 27.45−67.6 μg/g) are comparable to those reported for other moderately polluted world environments. SPM showed a less clear pattern. Metal concentrations in sediments displayed a clear geographical trend with values increasing with proximity to major urban centers. The clams (on dry weight) showed a complex pattern due to the variability introduced by age-related factors. Cd showed an apparent reverse industrial trend with higher concentrations in clams collected at distant stations. Zn, Pb and Mn showed no clear geographical pattern, whereas Cu increased in the clams collected in the most industrialized area. In addition, the bioaccumulation factors (BAF) were calculated. The result indicated that the studied Ruditapes philippinarum in Jiaozhou Bay possessed different bioaccumulation capacities for Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb and Mn, and Cd, Zn had a relatively high assimilation of those metals from sediment particles. A significant relationship with clam age was observed for Zn (positive) and Cu (negative) suggesting different physiological requirements for both metals with age. Trace metal concentrations measured in the tissue of the investigated clam were in the range considered safe by the WHO for human use.     

Heavy Metal Content in Xylem Sap (Vitis Vinifera) from Mining and Smelting Areas

No data are available on the content of heavy metals in the xylem sap of grapevines growing in contaminated areas. The aim of this work was to obtain data on the concentration of Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu in the xylem sap of grapevine (Vitis vinifera) cultivar Monica (ungrafted), growing near contaminated sites: a smelter, an abandoned and an active mine, and to investigate relationships between xylem sap mineral composition and the heavy metal content of the soil. The concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu in the sap were enhanced compared to that of the soil, ranging from 4.3 to 611.4 µg Pb , 801 to 6176 µg Zn , 2.5 to 45 µg Cd and 19.8 to 161 µg Cu . Dry matter of xylem sap was significantly related to the heavy metals content in xylem saps, but no significant relationship between the metals in sap and total and DTPA/TEA extractable metal fraction in soil was found.     

Metals in tissues of diamondback terrapin from New Jersey

Relatively little is known about contaminants in reptiles, particularly turtles. The distribution of metals in eggs, liverand muscle of diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) was examined from Barnegat Bay, New Jersey as part of an aquatic study to understand movement of contaminants in the bay. Lead and cadmium were relatively low in all tissues. There were significant differences among tissues for all metals, except lead. Where there were significant differences, levels werehighest in the liver, except for chromium. Levels of mercurywere 6.6 times higher in the liver than muscle, and manganeselevels were 4 times as high. The levels of metals in muscle ofdiamondback terrapin are below those that might cause effects inconsumers, including humans who eat them in stews. However, thelevel of mercury in liver is sufficiently high to be problematicfor consumers and scavengers that eat liver.     

Potential Use of the Plant Antioxidant Network For Environmental Exposure Assessment of Heavy Metals in Soils

In recent years, awareness has risen that the total soil content of pollutants by itself does not suffice to fully assess the potential ecotoxicological risks involved. Chemical analysis will require to be complemented with biological assays in a multidisciplinary approach towards site specific ecological risk assessment (SS-ERA). This paper evaluates the potential use of the plants' antioxidant response to metal-induced oxidative stress to provide a sensitive biological assay in SS-ERA. To this end, plants of Phaseolus vulgaris were grown for two weeks on 15 soils varying in contamination level. Morphological parameters and enzymatic plant responses were measured upon harvest. Foliar concentrations of the (heavy) metals Al, Cu, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn were also determined. Metal mobility in the soil was further assessed by determining soil solution and NH₄OAc extractable levels. In general more significant correlations were observed between plant responses and foliar metal concentrations or exchangeable/soluble levels than between plant responses and the total soil content. The study demonstrates the potential use of the plants' antioxidant defence mechanisms to assess substrate phytotoxicity for application in SS-ERA protocols. However, the system, based on calculation of a soil Phytotoxicity Index (PI), will require adaptation and fine-tuning to meet the specific needs for this type of environmental monitoring. Large variation was observed in phytotoxicity classification based on the various test parameters. The thresholds for classification of the various morphological and enzymatic response parameters may require adaptation according to parameter stress sensitivity in order to decrease the observed variation. The use of partial PI's (leaves and roots separately) may in addition increase the sensitivity of the system since some metals show specific effects in one of both organs only. Loss of biological functionality of enzymes, as was observed for ICDH in one of the more strongly contaminated soils, may also be recognized as an additional stress symptom when assigning phytotoxicity classification, whereas the current system only considers increasing enzymatic capacities. Other easily distinguishable parameters, which could be added to the current indexation are: failure to germinate and the incapacity to develop roots in the toxic substrate.Additional research will be required to determine the possible application range of soil properties for this biological assay and to further improve its performance in SS-ERA.     

上海、乌鲁木齐与昌吉三市城市土壤重金属富集特征比较研究

选择上海、乌鲁木齐、昌吉3个城市,通过对其城市土壤重金属含量水平、分布特征及活性的比较研究,发现城市土壤中Cr、Cu、Pb、Zn含量均远高于背景值,但Mn、Fe含量与背景值差别不大;上海市Cr、Pb、Zn含量最高,而昌吉市Cu含量最高,城市规模的大小并不能直接反映土壤重金属含量的高低,工业污染物排放量、交通量、城市规模大小、城市发展历史、工业区位置及变迁、土壤背景值等因素均会影响土壤重金属含量水平。除Mn、Fe无明显的功能区分布差异外,各城市重金属功能区分布规律并不相同,城市污染来源的不同可能是主要原因。重金属活性并未与其含量分布规律完全一致,上海土壤重金属活性大于乌鲁木齐、昌吉,上海土壤pH值小于乌鲁木齐、昌吉可能是主要影响因素,但也存在上海土壤中个别重金属活性小于乌鲁木齐、昌吉的现象,污染物来源存在差异等可能是主要原因。也可能较强,反之亦然。     

Assessment of Atmospheric Deposition of Heavy Metals and Other Elements in Belgrade Using the Moss Biomonitoring Technique and Neutron Activation Analysis

This study aimed at assessing atmospheric deposition of heavy metals and other elements using the moss genera Brachythecium sp. (B. rutabulum and B. salebrosum) and Eurhynchium sp. (E. hians and E. striatum) collected in autumn 2004 in the urban area of Belgrade. The concentrations of 36 elements (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Mo, Sb, I, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Tb, Dy, Hf, Ta, W, Hg, Th, U) were determined in moss and local topsoil samples by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The concentration of elements in moss positively correlated to those obtained for topsoil. High enrichment factors for As, Zn, Mo, Br, Sb, Se, Hg and Cl, calculated to continental crust composition, gave an evidence for anthropogenic impact on urban area, mainly due to intensive vehicular traffic and fossil fuel combustion. The concentration of elements in moss, characteristic for fossil fuel combustion, obtained in this study were substantially lower than in the previous investigation (2000) conducted in the area of Belgrade. The level of concentrations for V, Cr, Ni, and As in moss from this study correlated to those measured for neighboring countries, and were several times higher than the base-level data from low polluted areas. The level of accumulated elements in both investigated moss genera were similar and all studied species could be combined for biomonitoring purposes in urban areas.     

Heavy Metals and Selenium in Herring Gulls (LARUS ARGENTATUS) NESTING IN COLONIES FROM EASTERN LONG ISLAND TO VIRGINIA

With increasing interest in assessing the health or well-being ofcommunities and ecosystems, birds are being used asbioindicators. Coloniallynesting species breed mainly in coastal areas that are alsopreferred for humandevelopment, exposing the birds to various pollutants. Inthis paper concentrations of heavy metal and selenium in the feathers ofHerring Gulls(Larus argentatus) nesting in several colonies fromMassachusetts toDelaware are reported. There were significant differencesamong colonies forall metals, with metal concentrations being two to nearly fivetimes higher atsome colonies than others. Selenium showed the leastdifference, and cadmium showed the greatest difference among sites. Concentrations of lead werehighest at Pralls Island; mercury was highest at Shinnecock,Huckleberry andHarvey, and manganese was highest at Captree.     

Estimation of Heavy Metals in Different Berberis Species and Its Market Samples

Popularity of herbal drugs is increasing all over the world because of lesser side effects as compared to synthetic drugs. Besides, it costs less and easily available to poor people particularly in developing countries. But quality assurance of herbal drugs is very necessary prior to its use. Because in today's polluted environment, even herbal drugs are not safe. Berberis spp. is very important medicinal plant, having various medicinal properties. It is also included in Indian and British pharmacopoeias. Its demand is quite high in herbal drug market. So, to check the quality of market samples of this drug, ten different samples were procured from different drug markets of India for heavy metal estimation. Besides, genuine samples of four species of Berberis viz. B. aristata, B. chitria, B. lycium, B. asiatica were also collected from natural habitats to compare heavy metal concentration in both market and genuine samples. It was found that market samples were much more contaminated than genuine samples. Lead (Pb) concentration is far beyond from WHO permissible limit (10 ppm) for herbal drugs, reaching to maximum 49.75 ppm in Amritsar market sample. Likewise, concentration of all other metals like Cd, Cr and Ni were also very high in market samples as compared to genuine samples.     

Mercury, Methylmercury, and Selenium Concentrations in Eggs of Common Loons (Gavia immer) from Canada

Concentrations of Hg and Se were determined for a total of 125Common Loon (Gavia immer) eggs collected from lakes in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and NovaScotia, Canada between 1972 and 1997. Resulting data were compared to Hg and/or Se concentrations known or suspected tocause reproductive impairment in birds. Organic (methyl) Hg analyses were also performed on a subset of 24 loon eggs. Thirty-nine of 125 eggs had total Hg levels exceeding those (0.6 g g^-1 ww, or 2.5 g g^-1 dw)previously reported to be associated with reproductive impairment in common loons (Barr, 1986), and 9 of 125 eggshad Hg concentrations higher than the level associated withreproductive impairment in birds generally 1 g g^-1 ww; (Thompson, 1996). Selenium concentrations in loon egg samples were less than levels known to cause reproductiveimpairment in birds. A weak but significant positive correlation was observed between egg-Hg and -Se concentrations(r = 0.511, p < 0.05). On average, methylmercury accounted for about 87% of total Hg in 24 eggs analysed for both total and organic Hg. In this subset of eggs, the relationship between organic (methyl) Hg and Se was significant (r = 0.538, p = 0.007) while that found between inorganic Hg and Se in the same eggs was not significant (r = 0.353, p = 0.091). This relationship was unexpected and was contrary to relationships established for organic and inorganic Hg vs. Se in adult loon liver and kidney tissue (Scheuhammer et al., 1998b).     

Heavy Metal Accumulation in the Gastropod, Cetithium Scabridum L., from the Kuwait Coast

An in-depth study on various locations along the Kuwait Coastdifferentiated by the nature of coastal topography, humanhabitation and industrialization was made during the year1995–1997 in relation to the gills of the gastropod, Cerithium scabridum, a bio-indicator of heavy metal pollution.The maximum concentration of heavy metals in the gills of C. scabridum, seawater and particulate matter was observed inStations III when compared to the metal concentrations in theother seven stations. Co-efficient Variance (CV) revealed anincrease in the accumulation of Cu and Pb in gills, seawater andparticulate matter in winter than in summer. However, the CV wasnoted to be lower in winter than in summer in the case of Cr andV, in gills of C. scabridum and Ni in the case of seawatersamples. Further, by ANOVA, except V, significant relationshipswere noted between the heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Pb and Ni) andvarious locations in the gills of C. scabridum.